1454
Amerigo Vespucci Born
The Italian explorer, merchant, and navigator was born in Florence. The continents of North and South America would later be named after him, following the publication of his accounts of the 'New World'.
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All Events
1841
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Amistad Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, with John Quincy Adams arguing for the defendants, that the kidnapped Africans who seized control of the Spanish schooner La Amistad were free individuals and should be returned to Africa.
1862
Battle of Hampton Roads Concludes
The historic naval duel between the ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) ended inconclusively. This battle marked the obsolescence of wooden warships and revolutionized naval warfare.
1959
Barbie Doll Debuts
The Barbie fashion doll, created by Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel, was officially unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in New York. It became a cultural icon and one of the best-selling toys in history.
1997
Notorious B.I.G. Murdered
American rapper Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His murder, which remains officially unsolved, marked a tragic moment in hip-hop history.